Internet boost - but rurals still behind

More premises across the Stirling area can now access faster fibre broadband following the latest rollout.

But one councillor says more has to be done to connect rural communities.

Stirling’s broadband connectivity is undergoing an overhaul, as part of the £428 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband rollout.

More than 16,500 properties across Stirling are now able to connect to the Digital Scotland network, with more coverage being rolled out in the Blanefield, Kippen, Stirling and Buchlyvie areas.

Work is ongoing, with Openreach engineers continuing work into 2019.

The latest Stirling area properties reached can now connect to broadband speeds up to 1Gbps.

Residents and businesses need to sign up though with an internet service provider, as upgrades are not automatic.

Delivered through two projects – led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in its area and the Scottish Government in the rest of Scotland – funding partners include the UK Government through Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), BT Group, councils and the European Regional Development Fund.

Fibre broadband enables multiple users to connect to the internet at high speeds. Most of the Digital Scotland deployment uses fibre-to-thecabinet technology, at speeds of up to 80Mbps.

Vice-convener of Stirling Council’s finance and economy committee Councillor Alison Laurie, said: “Access to high–speed internet is vital for supporting economic growth across Stirling and also brings wider benefits to our communities. The roll out of this project underlines the council’s ambition for world– class connectivity.”

Sara Budge, programme director for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband, added: “Thanks to additional investment as a result of innovation and new funding generated by stronger than expected take-up, the programme will deliver new DSSB deployment in every local authority area during 2018 and into 2019.”

However, Trossachs and Teith councillor Jeremy McDonald said: “They should be addressing the big gaps that still exist. Many communities across the rural areas have unacceptable connectivity and have had to put up with delay after delay with no signs of anything being done.”

Stirling Council said in September it had allocated £300,000 a year over the next two years to support rural broadband projects and employed a rural broadband project officer.

It was announced last week private firm Cityfibre, with Vodafone, are going ahead with plans for a full-fibre broadband scheme across Stirling area. High-tech computer cable, laid across the city, gives homes and businesses the chance to hook up, and the scheme is being extended to Bannockburn and Cambusbarron.